Happenings

We have been having too much fun lately! Last weekend started with us taking our friend Lina and the kids to the children's museum. It was hard to get a picture of the girls together (they are only 4 months apart) because they didn't stand still, or stop talking, long enough! Andy enjoyed himself as well, and was glad the girls were so distracted because he was less tormented than he would be on any given day. We loved this place because there are employees all over the place, armed with antibacterial spray just waiting to clean up after you! Yes! A parents heaven!

Notice the "seriously mom, I am shopping!" look she is giving me here!

She didn't even bother looking at me in this one! Ha!

Andy was a little more cooperative...for once.Just about every weekend we go to Avila Valley Barn to get our fruit and veggies for the week, and because both kids really love feeding the animals. But this time of the year is the best with all the fall stuff. Can you find the pumpkin?

We met Grandpa Mel and Grandma CC there and took a little hay ride to the pumpkin patch. We never got off the tractor, but it was still a huge hit!

This was this weekend going to Avila Valley, Julie dressed herself and Andy was sporting his new bomber jacket, so I couldn't resist!

Last night we had a diaper party at our house for Joe and Heather as they are expecting their second little girl (Audrey Opal) in November. John and I mostly just cleaned the house and John BBq'ed. The rest was put together by Heather's sister in law April. She is great and throws an awesome party! She is also pregnant! Yay! Here is a cute picture of Lina, Julie and Anna (Lina's cousin who's mom is expecting twin boys!). Aren't they adorable! Here is April and I with Heather. Love these girls!

Tonight we celebrated Uncle Monsters birthday! Julie could not wait for him to get here so they could watch the video to "Octopus's Garden" Andy enjoyed it as well.

A couple weeks ago Julie asked if she could blow out his birthday candles. Of course he said yes and she has been talking about it ever since. He kept his word and was more than happy to share his big moment with Julie Monster.

After Julie was put to bed with another viewing of Octopus's Garden, we got to spend a few moments with our friends. We have not gotten to see them very much lately with crazy work schedules and different internal clocks. So even though it was a quiet night, it was very nice to see our friends. Happy Birthday Uncle Monster! We love you!

Portraits

For Andy's first birthday, my mom took the kids to sears for pictures. They turned out so cute! I am not usually a huge fan of posed pictures, but these really did turn out great!

See, I told you they were adorable! Thanks mom! I love them!!

Great News!

I have had a HUGE secret for 3 days that I have not been able to tell, now I can and I don't know where to start!!!!!

Last Wednesday, I drove up to San Jose to be a witness at Brian and Christina's WEDDING!!!!! I picked her parents up and away we went. We went to their apartment, arriving just minutes before the Groom's parents and the rest of the wedding guests....aka Darby. After we all got pretty, and took a few pictures, we drove down to Santa Clara County Clerk's Office.

At the clerks office, they had an awesome little chapel and a judge in blue robes to do the ceremony. Christina looked beautiful. Brian was beaming! I have never seen a happier groom. Both sets of parents were delighted to be there. Darby and I were bouncing all over the place taking pictures, until the ceremony started, then I had to put my camera down because I was a little too teared up! Luckily, Darby was able to power through and get some great shots!

They didn't have time to buy a ring for Brian, but his mom just happened to be wearing her dad's wedding band, so they used that for the service. It is just on loan, but what a way to start!

Introducing Brian Phillip Asdel Cisneros and Christina Elizabeth Asdel Cisneros.

The happy family.

After the ceremony and a few more pictures, we went went to a swanky hotel lounge, had an appetizer and then went to dinner. We ate at this awesome Peruvian fusion place. I had chicken stir fry with french fries in it. A little strange, but so good! We ordered cream puff things for dessert. Brian and Christina fed them to each other, it was cute.After dinner, we all went home. We all had to work the next day and Christina had school. George and Kathy were great company for the drive home.

This was one of the sweetest weddings I have ever been to. Short, to the point, but filled with all the love and commitment a wedding should be. I love this beautiful couple and everything that they are.

Oh, one last thing, Christina is PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She called me a few weeks ago and just sprung it on me. I couldn't contain myself!! I am so excited for them and for the family that they now are. They will be the most amazing parents! I can't believe that one of my best friends in the whole world is going to be a mommy!!

Yeah, life is so good!

Summer Love

This past weekend, my mom, Julie, Andy and I traveled to Hanford to go to my cousin Summer's Baby shower! This is her first baby and it is a girl! Hooray! I could not be happier for them. It was a great party, they received everything they could possibly need for the little bundle of joy. Now, they just need to wait for her to come! We can't wait for the little Garcia to arrive!!

Words

This morning we took Andy to his 1 year Dr apt. We discovered he has a double ear infection, bummer. We suspected he was getting one but didn't know he had full blown in both ears! The Dr was really impressed, though, that he is a year old and has never been on antibiotics....until now of course. But lucky for him, he didn't have to get any shots! We also found out he weighs 24 pounds (90th percentile) and is 32 inches tall (90th percentile). He didn't get the full look over because he was not as happy as he normally would be, especially after the Dr stuck the thing in his ears.

But, tonight, he was laying on his changing table as I was changing him. John walked in and helped me hold him down. He looked directly at John, waived and said "Hi Dad" It was clear as day, and very cute!

While we were on a walk later, Julie and I had this conversation...
Julie: "this is a treat!"
Me: "Yes, it is a treat for me!"
Julie: "No, this is my treat!"
Me: "what do I get for a treat?"
Julie: "A corn dog."
Yum.

Happy Dance

There have been very few things in this crazy parenting adventure so far that I truly dislike. I don't mind changing diapers. Yes, I am happy Julie is potty trained, but it wasn't because I couldn't handle the diapers. I don't mind the smell of baby food, the feeling of spit up down my back or even the three million loads of laundry that have to be done every week. I can handle it all. However, there is one thing that I hated from day one.....


Washing bottles!!

Ahhhh! I hated this long process involving scalding hot water and special brushes and if it wasn't done, ya, that was even worse!!!! Then you had to wash one with one hand because you had a screaming baby on your hip!

But, I am incredibly happy to say, the bottles are gone. Andy has not had one for almost 2 weeks. So they went away.




And I did a happy dance, right there in the driveway!

Happy Birthday Andy!

A year ago today, we became a family of 4! So today marks more than just Andy's first birthday, it is the day our family became what it is, awesome!

Andy woke up at 6:30 this morning. After being serenaded multiple times by his big sister, and having a hearty breakfast, he went back to sleep until 11, when we woke him up for his party!

We did a sports theme, it was very fun! He had a baseball cake decorated by his mommy. Justin and Audrey came over to help bake the cupcakes, then came early and along with Memere we set up for the party and decorated cupcakes. They turned out pretty cute!

Memere gave him a cute little car that he loves! He was so proud of himself sitting up on it!

Uncle Justin made a really fun bean bag toss game called Cornhole. Don't let the name fool you, it was really fun, and not at all inappropriate. Everyone enjoyed playing, even the kids who kept stealing the bags!

Andy got so many great toys and a TON of clothes! The clothes are so appreciated because he is outgrowing things before he can wear them twice! Julie, Dawson, Anabelle and Lina were all huge helps with opening gifts, while Andy kept crawling away. But after everyone left, he played with all his toys and was so happy!

The the time came to give him his first cake. To say he was excited would be an understatement. He could not get the cake into his mouth fast enough. He crammed it in. Julie kept trying to stop him, saying "that is not the way we eat Brother!" But it was his birthday, so she had to let him go. And he did!

So Happy Birthday my big man. I love you more each day. I can not wait to see what the next year will bring and all the amazing things you will do!